Iceland · Europe
How many people die in Iceland every day?
In Iceland, about 7 people die every day, roughly one death every 4 hours. That is about 2,400 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 169th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 83 years and the leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
7
Deaths per year
2,400
Life expectancy
83 years
Population
375,318
Death rate
6.4 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Iceland
83
World avg
72.8
+10.2 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Iceland
6.4
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Iceland by time period
| Per hour | 0.3 |
| Per day | 6.6 |
| Per week | 46 |
| Per month | 200 |
| Per year | 2,400 |
What people die of in Iceland
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Iceland in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 14.9% of all deaths, about 1.1 a day. It was followed by Alzheimer's and other dementias and lung cancer.
Deaths from Alzheimer's and other dementias have more than doubled since 2000, from about 98 to 271 a year. Deaths from stroke have fallen by 27% since 2000, from about 182 to 132 a year.
WHO counts single causes, so heart disease and stroke appear as separate rows. Grouped together as cardiovascular disease, the category in the summary above, they are the largest killer.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 404 | 1.1 | 14.9% | -10% |
| 2 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 271 | under 1 | 10% | +177% |
| 3 | Lung cancer | 156 | under 1 | 5.8% | +42% |
| 4 | COPD | 137 | under 1 | 5.1% | +65% |
| 5 | Stroke | 132 | under 1 | 4.9% | -27% |
| 6 | Prostate cancer | 81 | under 1 | 3% | n/a |
| 7 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 76 | under 1 | 2.8% | -1% |
| 8 | Bowel (colorectal) cancer | 76 | under 1 | 2.8% | +29% |
| 9 | Breast cancer | 61 | under 1 | 2.3% | n/a |
| 10 | Kidney diseases | 52 | under 1 | 1.9% | n/a |
Deaths in Iceland since 2000
WHO estimates that about 2,703 people died in Iceland in 2023, 48% more than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 1,824 deaths |
| 2010 | 2,000 deaths |
| 2019 | 2,322 deaths |
| 2023 | 2,703 deaths |
Life expectancy in Iceland since 1950
A baby born in Iceland in 1950 could expect to live about 71 years. By 2023 that had risen to 82.7, a gain of 11.7 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 71 years |
| 1980 | 76.6 years |
| 2000 | 79.5 years |
| 2010 | 81.6 years |
| 2019 | 82.8 years |
| 2023 | 82.7 years |
Iceland compared with similar countries in Europe
Among the 36 countries in Europe on this site, Iceland ranks 0th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iceland | 7 | 83 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Cyprus | 23 | 81 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Estonia | 44 | 78.6 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Latvia | 79 | 75.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
| North Macedonia | 60 | 75.7 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Slovenia | 60 | 81.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in Iceland every day?
In Iceland, about 7 people die every day, or roughly one death every 4 hours. That adds up to about 2,400 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Iceland?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Iceland. Heart disease and stroke are the biggest killers in most countries, driven largely by high blood pressure, smoking, diet and inactivity. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put heart disease (ischaemic) first in 2023, with 14.9% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Iceland?
Life expectancy at birth in Iceland is 83 years, 10.2 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 12th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Iceland high?
Iceland records about 6.4 deaths per 1,000 people each year, below the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.